New categories for Best Female Musician and Best Male Musician have also been introduced.

Best Aboriginal Act as been renamed The Archie Roach Foundation Award for Emerging Talent, and will now come with a cash grant and mentorship as part of the Award.

‘’After each awards we survey the industry and judges to make sure the categories best reflect what is happening in Victoria in the year and the most deserved contributors to the industry are acknowledged, said Awards Executive Producer Patrick Donovan.

We are confident these changes to criteria and judging panels will result in awards that are more inclusive and better reflect outstanding achievements. Stay tuned for an announcement in October with details about a new structure for this year’s event.’’

Submissions are now open until midnight Friday 31 August for Victorian artists, venues and festivals to nominate themselves, or another they believe deserves to be considered.

The categories open for submissions are:Best Regional and Outer Suburban Venue (under 50 gigs per year), Best Regional and Outer Suburban Venue (over 50 gigs per year), Best Venue (under 500 capacity), Best Venue (over 500 capacity) and Best Festival.

Plus:Best Blues Album, Best Country Album, Best Soul, Funk, R'n'B or Gospel Album, Best Jazz Album, Best Heavy Album, Best Rock/Punk Album, Best Folk or Roots Album, Best Emerging First Peoples Act, Best Global Act, Best Hip Hop Act, Best Electronic Act, Best Reggae and Dancehall Act, Best Experimental or Avant-Garde Act and Best Regional and Outer Suburban Act.

There are no self-nomination submissions for the public voted awards (with the exception of the venues awards). An expert industry panel before the public voting opens will choose nominations.

Eligibility Criteria - At least 50% of the act has been living in Victoria for the last two years - Released an album, multiple singles or EP (category dependent) between 1 September 2017 and 31 August 2018 - All Victorian venues or festivals

Submissions are now open until midnight Friday 31 August.All nominees will be announced Wednesday 11 October.